I lied to my dealership(update)

joe diego · 09-27-2005, 02:23 PM

My car has been at the dealer for over a month now because of a transmission problem (grinds going into third). Anyways, worrying about it not being covered under warranty, I pointed out that most of my upgrades were cosmetically besides the TBE and front mount. The service manager asked me if I did any type of reflashing to the ecu and I said no. He then said everything might work out in my favor. Will they be able to find out that I have the ecutek reflash?

2fas4u · 09-27-2005, 02:38 PM

I they really know how to check yes.... The checksum of the ECU changes when re-flashed. I think it is a stated fact that most dealers dont have the time or gear to go looking for such things....

RonBang · 09-27-2005, 02:51 PM

My car had the same problem at 9,000 miles its an 04 sti...grinded going into third real bad...took it to them they said we have to send the tranny away to see if it was abused i said look its a HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORTS CAR i get on it YES do i beat the hell out of it NO!!! what good is buying a high perf sports car if you cant get on it...they said oh well its up to SOA if we can cover it and blah blah blah...cause then they mentioned theres been other sti's with the same problem i said oh really so theres documentaion of the same problem so theres some kind of defect in some of the 04 sti's and he told me yea...but we still have to check for abuse...i told the guy oh no your gonna fix that tranny under warranty and im not paying for shiot or im gonna sue your ass...and they fixed it for free under warranty...

whitson01 · 09-27-2005, 03:08 PM

i lied to my dealer when i told them i would come back to them for service..

RacerXS · 09-28-2005, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitson01

i lied to my dealer when i told them i would come back to them for service..

+1, hate em with a passion.

Stee · 09-28-2005, 01:40 PM

They should make people like you guys go to the corner of the room and kneel on rice for 30 minutes while listening to Fran Drescher sing "Mary Had a Little Lamb" repeatedly. Shame on you!!! LOL.

joe diego · 09-28-2005, 02:04 PM

It's been 1 month and 4 days and I finally have an answer. Max, one of the service personnel, told me I would have to pay half of the total cost. Total cost came out to 2100 bones. Not really happy about this but not that mad.

RonBang · 09-28-2005, 02:22 PM

Fuk that man...make them payfor all of it...are you insane...2100 seems more than half also...didnt you read anything i wrote...theres documentation on this problem...my 04 sti had to have the tranny fixed cause my tranny went at about 9,000 miles i couldnt get it into any gear on my way to work one day then finally i did and it grinded real bad when going into 3rd just like yours they took my car for like a mnoth threatened me and all kinds of **** saying ill have to pay for it all...i just said hell no then we're going to court...and ill see you there thats when it was oohhhhhh wai wait you dont have to do all that maybe this and that...there have been other sti's in here with this problem...that what he said quote "there have been other sti's in here with this problem"...like another week later ring ring ring yes everything is fine they picked up the bill and my car has been fine since then...some sti's had problems where the tranny went real early...man if you pay for that **** your dumber than dirt

normansti · 09-28-2005, 02:53 PM

yea dont pay for it. tell them you already called lemon law and the lawyer you talked to said you have a great case. tell them if its not fully covered then your gonna tell your lawyer to take the case.

***KarlSTI*** · 09-29-2005, 05:05 AM

Not sure about this. The dealership here in Jacksonville seems really cool. The guys that work there drive modded STI's (parts guy, maintenance guy, tuner guy, etc)and compete in different events. They have an inhouse tuner with an AWD dyno doing UTEC and Eckutec. Verbally I've heard them say, if they install it (after market mods like TBE's etc) then the warranty is still good. However, they do not say, if someone else does the install then the warranty is not good.

With that said, I really have no idea how I'll be treated on expensive warranty item. I get the feeling that since they are STI enthusiasts that they will back me up. Hope so anyway.....

Good luck with transmission issue! Sounds to me like they should cover it since others have. How many miles you have on it Joe?

~Karl

joe diego · 09-29-2005, 07:50 AM

9800 miles Karl.

And Ron, 2100 is the total cost superman, half of that is 1050. Also, you need to relax.

denver133 · 10-13-2005, 07:55 PM

People really need to read up on the warrenty law. I forgot the name but when you know the law, its tottaly on your side. If you have a FMIC, your tranny doesn't have a problem from that. That tranny is tottaly covered. I have noticed that when you have many suby dealerships in an area (denver has like 5) some are good and some aren't. I refuse to take my car to a John Elway service even thought I have a buddy who works for them. They are sooo rude its sick. Burt on the other hand, gave me a 05 LGT to drive for 5 hours while my car was getting its last service...and I am a 23 year old. Tottaly love burts service. Kicks ass!

STiMaine · 10-14-2005, 11:50 AM

It wasn't even the FMIC they were worried about. They asked about a reflash . . . as if youf fuel/timing maps efect the 2-3 shift.

**Ben** · 10-14-2005, 01:51 PM

An ECU reflash results in more torque, most times well over 60 foot pounds at the wheels if you have a TBE, which is alot. More torque means there is more stress on the drivetrain and transmission. More stress on the drivetrain and transmission can result in it breaking.

I'm not saying I actually believe your ECU caused the problem, but that is their defense and why they asked you.

Illusive · 10-20-2005, 02:29 PM

seems like SOA trys to weasil out of most of the warranty work here claiming it was abuse.

ask for the documentation that they have proving the transmission was abused, if they can not provide that documentation then they have no reason to legaly deny your warranty.

also you may want to print out a copy of the magnusom moss act and take it in with you.

I dont know your age or how you present yourself, but if you go into a dealership well dressed (collar shirt + slacks) speak intelligently, present your evidence, most dealers will be level headed.

on the other hand if you go in there with a anarchy shirt, ripped jeans, and piercings + tatoos showing, the sad truth is that they are more inclined to deny your warranty than the clean cut guy. sucks but thats how the world works.

09-27-2005, 02:23 PM	#1
joe diego STI Driver Car: White 05 STi Fav Mod: TBE Location: San DIgo Posts: 205 Join Date: Jun 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	I lied to my dealership(update) My car has been at the dealer for over a month now because of a transmission problem (grinds going into third). Anyways, worrying about it not being covered under warranty, I pointed out that most of my upgrades were cosmetically besides the TBE and front mount. The service manager asked me if I did any type of reflashing to the ecu and I said no. He then said everything might work out in my favor. Will they be able to find out that I have the ecutek reflash? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad. Last edited by joe diego : 09-28-2005 at 02:01 PM.

09-27-2005, 02:51 PM	#3
RonBang Banned Car: 04 STi Location: Howell Posts: 184 Join Date: Apr 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Dont worry same thing happend to mine My car had the same problem at 9,000 miles its an 04 sti...grinded going into third real bad...took it to them they said we have to send the tranny away to see if it was abused i said look its a HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORTS CAR i get on it YES do i beat the hell out of it NO!!! what good is buying a high perf sports car if you cant get on it...they said oh well its up to SOA if we can cover it and blah blah blah...cause then they mentioned theres been other sti's with the same problem i said oh really so theres documentaion of the same problem so theres some kind of defect in some of the 04 sti's and he told me yea...but we still have to check for abuse...i told the guy oh no your gonna fix that tranny under warranty and im not paying for shiot or im gonna sue your ass...and they fixed it for free under warranty...

09-28-2005, 02:22 PM	#8
RonBang Banned Car: 04 STi Location: Howell Posts: 184 Join Date: Apr 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	F-that Fuk that man...make them payfor all of it...are you insane...2100 seems more than half also...didnt you read anything i wrote...theres documentation on this problem...my 04 sti had to have the tranny fixed cause my tranny went at about 9,000 miles i couldnt get it into any gear on my way to work one day then finally i did and it grinded real bad when going into 3rd just like yours they took my car for like a mnoth threatened me and all kinds of ** saying ill have to pay for it all...i just said hell no then we're going to court...and ill see you there thats when it was oohhhhhh wai wait you dont have to do all that maybe this and that...there have been other sti's in here with this problem...that what he said quote "there have been other sti's in here with this problem"...like another week later ring ring ring yes everything is fine they picked up the bill and my car has been fine since then...some sti's had problems where the tranny went real early...man if you pay for that ** your dumber than dirt

10-20-2005, 02:29 PM	#15
Illusive Professional STI Driver Car: 05 Subaru STI Posts: 409 Join Date: Jul 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	seems like SOA trys to weasil out of most of the warranty work here claiming it was abuse. ask for the documentation that they have proving the transmission was abused, if they can not provide that documentation then they have no reason to legaly deny your warranty. also you may want to print out a copy of the magnusom moss act and take it in with you. I dont know your age or how you present yourself, but if you go into a dealership well dressed (collar shirt + slacks) speak intelligently, present your evidence, most dealers will be level headed. on the other hand if you go in there with a anarchy shirt, ripped jeans, and piercings + tatoos showing, the sad truth is that they are more inclined to deny your warranty than the clean cut guy. sucks but thats how the world works. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

09-27-2005, 02:38 PM	#2
2fas4u Silver Member Car: 05 STI Location: Manchester, Maryland Posts: 1,864 Join Date: Aug 2005 Trader Rating: (3)	I they really know how to check yes.... The checksum of the ECU changes when re-flashed. I think it is a stated fact that most dealers dont have the time or gear to go looking for such things....

09-27-2005, 03:08 PM	#4
whitson01 Spec C Club Car: 06 acura tsx Fav Mod: soon to come Location: east TN Posts: 1,417 Join Date: Dec 2004 Trader Rating: (3)	i lied to my dealer when i told them i would come back to them for service..

09-28-2005, 01:40 PM	#6
Stee Spec C Club Car: 2008 Fitrari Red Fav Mod: Getting 40mpg Location: North Jersey Posts: 1,537 Join Date: Jan 2004 Trader Rating: (8)	They should make people like you guys go to the corner of the room and kneel on rice for 30 minutes while listening to Fran Drescher sing "Mary Had a Little Lamb" repeatedly. Shame on you!!! LOL.

09-28-2005, 02:04 PM	#7
joe diego STI Driver Car: White 05 STi Fav Mod: TBE Location: San DIgo Posts: 205 Join Date: Jun 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	It's been 1 month and 4 days and I finally have an answer. Max, one of the service personnel, told me I would have to pay half of the total cost. Total cost came out to 2100 bones. Not really happy about this but not that mad.

09-28-2005, 02:53 PM	#9
normansti Spec C Club Location: Dearborn MI Posts: 1,246 Join Date: Aug 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	yea dont pay for it. tell them you already called lemon law and the lawyer you talked to said you have a great case. tell them if its not fully covered then your gonna tell your lawyer to take the case.

09-29-2005, 05:05 AM	#10
*KarlSTI* Titanium Member Car: 05 CGM STi Fav Mod: Bill Location: Neptune Bch, FL Posts: 4,142 Join Date: Mar 2005 Trader Rating: (1)	Not sure about this. The dealership here in Jacksonville seems really cool. The guys that work there drive modded STI's (parts guy, maintenance guy, tuner guy, etc)and compete in different events. They have an inhouse tuner with an AWD dyno doing UTEC and Eckutec. Verbally I've heard them say, if they install it (after market mods like TBE's etc) then the warranty is still good. However, they do not say, if someone else does the install then the warranty is not good. With that said, I really have no idea how I'll be treated on expensive warranty item. I get the feeling that since they are STI enthusiasts that they will back me up. Hope so anyway..... Good luck with transmission issue! Sounds to me like they should cover it since others have. How many miles you have on it Joe? ~Karl

09-29-2005, 07:50 AM	#11
joe diego STI Driver Car: White 05 STi Fav Mod: TBE Location: San DIgo Posts: 205 Join Date: Jun 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	9800 miles Karl. And Ron, 2100 is the total cost superman, half of that is 1050. Also, you need to relax.

10-13-2005, 07:55 PM	#12
denver133 Spec C Club Car: 08 specB Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,530 Join Date: Sep 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	People really need to read up on the warrenty law. I forgot the name but when you know the law, its tottaly on your side. If you have a FMIC, your tranny doesn't have a problem from that. That tranny is tottaly covered. I have noticed that when you have many suby dealerships in an area (denver has like 5) some are good and some aren't. I refuse to take my car to a John Elway service even thought I have a buddy who works for them. They are sooo rude its sick. Burt on the other hand, gave me a 05 LGT to drive for 5 hours while my car was getting its last service...and I am a 23 year old. Tottaly love burts service. Kicks ass!

10-14-2005, 11:50 AM	#13
STiMaine STI Driver Location: Maine Posts: 217 Join Date: Nov 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	It wasn't even the FMIC they were worried about. They asked about a reflash . . . as if youf fuel/timing maps efect the 2-3 shift.

10-14-2005, 01:51 PM	#14
Ben Retired Admin Car: 2006 Audi S4 Fav Mod: Weight Loss Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,833 Join Date: Dec 1969 Trader Rating: (11)	An ECU reflash results in more torque, most times well over 60 foot pounds at the wheels if you have a TBE, which is alot. More torque means there is more stress on the drivetrain and transmission. More stress on the drivetrain and transmission can result in it breaking. I'm not saying I actually believe your ECU caused the problem, but that is their defense and why they asked you.